The Best Cheap Car Insurance in Utah for 2021

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Some drivers might consider liability-only car insurance, which covers damages and medical costs for the other driver if you are at fault. Liability insurance does not cover any costs or damages you incur. Therefore, it can be a good idea to get extra comprehensive and collision coverage in your policy. While most states impose a mandatory minimum for liability coverage, you can opt for higher levels of coverage to protect yourself in the event of an accident. In Utah, the cheapest option for most drivers is GEICO, both in terms of the state minimum of 25/65/15 and a higher level of 50/100/50 coverage.

Average Cost for Liability Coverage

MoneyGeek uses a unique rating system that combines unique pricing data with J.D. Power’s customer satisfaction study and AM Best’s financial strength analysis to select the best car insurance companies in Utah.

Companies with the best affordability, user satisfaction, claims reputation and financial stability ratings top MoneyGeek’s ranking system. MoneyGeek weighed these factors equally to obtain overall scores out of 100.

While USAA scores highly in many areas, this provider is only available to military members, veterans and their families.

Market Share by Company

With 15.35% of the market share in the state, State Farm insures more people in Utah than any other company. Getting a quote from one of the largest insurance companies in Utah could save you money and ensure that your provider is familiar with regulations in the Beehive State.

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Several unique factors contribute to the difference in car insurance premiums. MoneyGeek derived the average rates for comprehensive and collision insurance for a 40-year-old male driving a Toyota Camry with no history of accidents. Your car insurance may be cheaper or more expensive than these Utah averages depending on your age, driving history, credit score or coverage level.

• Average Driver: $1,154
• DUI: $1,723
• Speeding Ticket: $1,419
• Poor Credit Score: $2,168
• Seniors: $1,276
• Students: $3,030

The consequences of a DUI (driving under the influence) vary by state and typically grow in severity after each offense. In the state of Utah, DUI offenders face a minimum of 48 hours of jail time and can have their license suspended for a minimum of 120 days.

In a study conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 0.7% of Utah adults reported driving after drinking too much within the last 30 days and 480 people were killed in alcohol-related car accidents in Utah from 2009-2018. In 2018, the BAC (blood alcohol concentration) in Utah was lowered from 0.08 to 0.05 grams per deciliter, according to the Insurance Information Institute.

Average Car Insurance Rates With a DUI

A DUI will impact a driver’s insurance rates for years and rates could double overnight. Requesting multiple free quotes from a pool of top insurance companies can help your odds of finding cheap car insurance with a DUI in Utah.

If you are unable to obtain insurance after a DUI, exploring state-sponsored auto insurance programs can provide a solution. These programs were created by the states to insure high-risk drivers while sharing the risk of insuring this type of driver between multiple providers.

Many insurers look at distracted driving and speeding infractions as a risk. A violation will most likely increase your insurance rates, but how much depends on your carrier and if you have a clean driving record. It’s important to note that if you are cited for distracted driving, your insurance premium could increase even if you were not involved in an accident.

Average Car Insurance Rates With a Ticket

The Utah DMV uses a point system to mark your record of traffic violations. According to Utah Courts, if you drive one year without being convicted of a moving traffic violation, half of the points on your driving record will be removed. If you drive two years without a moving traffic violation, all of the points on your record will be removed. In most cases, clearing your record is a waiting game.

Maintaining cheap car insurance rates with a ticket in Utah is still possible. If you have tickets, some insurance companies will offer a reduced premium if you take a defensive driving course. Speak with your insurer to discuss the best option for you.

According to the Utah Insurance Department, some insurance companies believe that there is a direct relationship between a person’s financial responsibility and losses reflected in their credit score. Therefore, insurance companies believe that drivers with high credit scores who tend to have fewer and less costly losses should pay less for insurance and vice versa. With an average credit score of 716, Utah ranks number 16 in the nation for highest credit scoring, according to Experian. While many drivers in Utah have a higher-than-average credit score, a low score could still increase your insurance premium.

Average Car Insurance Rates for Drivers With Bad Credit

If you have bad credit, the first thing to do is ask your insurance company if they use credit information, how they look at this information and if it impacts your rates. When shopping for insurance quotes, ask each provider these questions and request that they reevaluate when you improve your credit.

When looking for cheap car insurance for seniors in Utah, a few unique factors come into play. While older drivers tend to have more experience behind the wheel, some physical impairments often show with aging. These include vision loss, slower reflexes and changes in attention.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 15.7% of fatal traffic accidents in Utah in 2017 involved a driver over the age of 65. Because seniors tend to face physical limitations to driving, Utah auto insurance companies weigh these risks against all other factors when developing policies for older drivers.

Average Car Insurance Rates for Seniors

If you are a senior shopping for car insurance, first meet with your doctor to discuss your capabilities and limitations behind the wheel, then research senior discounts offered by the top-rated car insurance companies in the state.

Many parents provide car insurance for their high school and college students. If you are covering the costs for your high school or college student, it’s important to understand how they can impact your insurance rates. Insurance companies charge more for teens and young adults because they lack experience behind the wheel and, as a group, this younger demographic is more likely to get into accidents.

To find cheap car insurance for teenagers in Utah, look for discounts and teen driver programs and consider the type of car your teen is driving. Choose a vehicle with good crash protection to keep your child safe — not necessarily flashy cars deemed “cool” by your teen.

Average Car Insurance Rates for Students

Utah teens under age 18 are required to take a driver's education course to get a license. You can find a list of approved courses on the Utah Department of Public Safety website.

The Utah Insurance Department recommends that parents set ground rules before your teen gets behind the wheel, including what hours your child can drive, whether they can bring friends in the car and how many miles a day they are allowed to drive.

If you drive an expensive car, it could cost you even more to add your teen to your policy than to purchase a modestly priced (but safe) vehicle that just has liability and uninsured motorist coverage. In addition to saving on the collision and comprehensive coverage for your child, you may get a discount for insuring two or more vehicles under the same policy. Discuss the options with your insurance agent or compare car insurance quotes from new insurers.

If you are a permanent resident of another state but are on active military duty in Utah, you can maintain your license and registration from your home state. But if you buy a car in Utah, you will have to pay Utah sales tax, even if you keep your home state registration.

If you are a Utah resident who is stationed out of state, you may be exempt from emissions and safety inspections (contact the Utah DMV for more information). If your license expires while you are on active duty outside of Utah, you may continue to use your license for up to 90 days after your discharge before filing for an extension or renewing it.

Many insurers provide discounts for military personnel and veterans but remember — one of the best ways to secure a lower premium is to maintain a good driving record.

Average Rates for Utah service members

25 years$1,398
50 years$1,067

25 years$1,220
50 years$1,067

Expert Advice on Finding Cheap Car Insurance in Utah

To help you find credible and accurate details on car insurance in Utah, MoneyGeek received expert advice from trusted professionals. The views and sentiments conveyed are those of the individual contributor.

1. What are the key factors drivers in Utah should look for when searching for the best auto insurance coverage?

   Dr. Leo Chan

   Look at the minimum required by law. Insurance companies almost always scare you into buying more coverage than you need. If you’re a safe driver, the minimum is often enough. Also, do you really need comprehensive coverage for your 1999 Toyota Corolla? As a nation, we’re over-insured for most things. Another key is your credit score. It is a key factor in determining your insurance premium. So, be a good driver and a good consumer are keys to financial success (and lower insurance premium).

2. What steps can drivers in Utah take to find affordable car insurance?

   Dr. Leo Chan

   Always shop around! Oftentimes, the threat of leaving your current insurance company can lead to rate reductions.

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Dr. Leo ChanAssociate Professor of Finance Economics at Utah Valley UniversityREAD ANSWERS

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About the Author

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Nicole Duxbury is a writer for MoneyGeek and a marketing and communications professional based in Reno, Nevada. She has more than five years of professional marketing and communications experience working with clients in finance, travel, food and beverage, CPG, non-profit, higher education and politics. Her work has an emphasis on content writing, social media management, content and digital marketing.

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